Visual and quantitative EEG analysis in healthy term neonates within the first 6 hours and the third day of birth

Abstract Background “Normal” background EEG immediately after birth is unknown. We performed video-EEG recordings in the first 6 hours (first measure) and the third day of life (second measure) for evidence of transient changes of brain function. Main procedures. Design Cohort study of an incidental sample of healthy full-term neonates in a single-centre nursery. Main outcome measures: 1) The EEG visual analysis included sleep-wake cycles, proportions of discontinuity and bursts with delta brushes, and number per hour of alpha/theta rolandic activity (A/TRA), encoches frontales and transients; and 2) The EEG spectral analysis included power spectrum in the following frequency bands: delta 0.5-4 Hz; theta 4-8 Hz; alpha 8-13 Hz and beta 13-30 Hz. Theta/delta (TDR) and alpha/delta (ADR) ratios were also calculated. Main findings Twenty-two babies were enrolled. Significant findings ( P